Resume Writing in the Computer Age

Free Resume Articles : Resume Writing in the Computer Age by Mike Woods

In this modern age of computers, resume writing had never been faster and more efficient. Gone were the days when you had to go to the post office to mail an application. All you ever do is sit in your computer, upload your resume using the employer's web site or send your resume to them by email. Nowadays, sending your resume by mail or fax has virtually become non-existent as most employers now opt to use programs to scan submitted resumes to determine whether you are a match for an available position. Still, resume print-outs are needed during interviews making it absolutely necessary that the emailed format and print-out are presentable. More people are familiar with the conventional resume format, but when it comes to using electronic resumes are at a loss.

Resume Writing Tips When Sending by Email

1. Save a text file of your submitted resume (.txt extension). Nowadays, more and more employers are requiring that you submit a resume in a text file format. This enables their computer program and software to sift through hundreds of resumes looking for certain keywords that indicate your suitability to a role. Dedicate some time in formatting your resume correctly and watch out for bad spacing and improper text alignment.

2. Stick to employer's instructions. If they want your resume to be included as part of the email then follow it. Don't try to be creative and send it as an attachment. This reflects poorly on your ability to follow instructions. You can simply copy and paste the resume text file that you saved earlier in the email. Be sure to check for any errors in formats and styles. As a general rule, keep it simple. Avoid over-formatting as it may be received differently at the employer's end when their email program is different from yours.

3. Test that your resume is correctly formatted by sending the email to some of your friends or family. Ask them if they received it properly and if there were no messed up items. Some programs behave differently from others and may tend to display your email as such. This helps you to sort out a few problems before finally sending your resume to the employer.

4. Include a cover letter with your resume even if you are sending it in the body of your email. This gives the employer a brief introduction on your key skills and competencies that are required for the role and which can give you a distinct advantage from the rest. Ensure that your cover letter creates a genuine interest from the employer and encourage him to read on with your resume.

About the Author
Fact: Most resumes end up in the trash before spending any useful time in the employer's hand. Don't let yours end up with the same fate. Learn how to write a resume that works and how your cover letter can play a part in finally getting that interview.

Source: GoArticles.com

The Resume That Makes the Employer Look Twice

Free Resume Articles : The Resume That Makes the Employer Look Twice by Cindy Stoufflet

The first impression the employer gets is one's resume. The first thing the employer is going to look at is that the resume is well written and grammatically correct.

The resume must say almost everything about the person. This should always start with pertinent information such as the person's name, age, address, contact number and social security number. This is very important for clear detail on how to be contacted by the company to set up a interview.

Next is the career objective, by putting a strong goal in mind and not a general one, the employer will see that this person has a clear direction which is why that person wants to seek empolyment for the company. The next section should include the relevant skills and knowledge one has had in the current and previous jobs as well as highlighting one's major accomplishments. It shows the qualities one possesses and the benefits one can contribute to the further growth of the company.

After that, the resume should show one's educational background. Some companies prefer someone with a degree in a certain field, a licensed professional to do the job or one who possesses a master's degree. By showing one's credentials, it is a good indicator of the type of training one has possessed in school and the accomplishments one has achieved in the course of one's career.

The latter section should provide details such as hobbies, interests and character references. Employers look at potential applicants who not only have the qualifications for the job but also those who are well rounded. Being active in organizations and being seen as a leader in a group shows one's social skills with others. Character references do the same and give people an idea how one performed working with that other people. There is no perfect resume the idea is to get the employers attention and get his interest enough to get you into the door for the Interview.

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About the Author
I am a grandmother of 2 boys one is 7 years old and one is 8 months old. I am new to the marketing business so please over look any mistakes am learning by trial and error.

Source: GoArticles.com

Resume Rules Meant To Be Broken

Resume Articles : Resume Rules Meant To Be Broken by Pat Faber-Garey

Have you ever wondered what happens to your resume after a prospective employer receives it? It used to be that someone - a human - would sift through all the resumes, scanning for keywords and relevant experience. In today's job hunting world, that human has, in many cases, been replaced by a computer. That's right. The finely crafted resume you worked so hard to make impressive, is casually dismissed by....a software package. The fact that human eyes never actually read your resume or the cover letter you agonized over is simply the reality of the digital era.

So, what's a job hunter need to do to get noticed? Well, it's important to let go of old "rules" that will do you a disservice in today's job hunting world. The first of these is...

"Your resume should be no longer than two pages."

This is probably the hardest rule to overcome, because it's been ingrained in our psyches for decades. Yet, distilling your work life history down to two pages or less means you may be leaving out important details that could garner you a coveted interview.

"Dan" had been the Vice President of Corporate Affairs at a large multibillion-dollar manufacturing company with operations in several states. Unfortunately for Dan, a larger company acquired his, and he's now looking for new employment. He has emailed his resume to several promising opportunities but hasn't gotten anywhere close to the response he'd been hoping for. And now he's beginning to think there's a problem with his less than two-page long resume.

A quick glance at his resume is enough to spot the problem. It looks like an airline itinerary with titles, dates and locations of previous jobs - but scarce information on the increasing value he brought to each position. As he resisted the suggestion that a longer resume might help his job hunting chances, he invoked an all-too familiar lament, "I talked to a headhunter...." Headhunters, who prefer to be called Executive Recruiters, do live in a world where shorter is better in terms of resumes. This is because the recruiter acts as your personal sales force, pitching you to potential employers. A full-blown resume would get in the way of their sales pitch. So, by all means, have a Cliff Notes version of your career available for recruiters, but also have a fully developed resume handy for everyone else.

The second "rule" to break is...

"Just the Facts, Ma'am."

By all means, your resume should be factual and not fanciful. But sticking to only the dates, locations, titles and tasks of your previous positions won't sell you as a well-rounded employee. The key to a successful resume is Value. What Value did you bring to each of your jobs? A compelling resume must include this all-important ingredient other wise you won't stand out among the field of candidates any better than a needle in a haystack. Here are four ways to demonstrate the value you brought to past employers and, more importantly, will bring to a potential new employer.

First Impression:

Most hiring managers will give the first page a quick scan and either decide to read it or discard it. The first page must identify you as a valuable business resource or they're on to the next resume. Position your responsibilities in terms of Value not tasks.

What They Need versus What You Want:

Have you ever included a "Professional Objective" at the top of your resume? This is all about you and what you hope to find in your next work experience. But hiring managers care a lot more about what they need, not what you want. An easy way to address this is by providing a "Professional Summary," which highlights exactly what you bring to the table. Determine what makes you valuable and put it first!

It's Called Capitalism:

Focus on how your hard work has profited your company. What did you do to make or save money, improve customer service, streamline processes, generate or retain customers? Limit the discussion of your daily responsibilities to a sentence or two and focus on your achievements.

Show Me the Money:

Support your professional accomplishments with facts, figures and percentages. This is the surest way to be noticed. For example:

- Generated a 7.9% annual increase in plant productivity not oversaw plant operations - Managed $1.3 million in key accounts not Account Manager - Decreased departmental turnover by 79% not good interpersonal skills

By highlighting your value to a prospective employer, you stand a much better chance of being noticed by humans and pre-screening software and considered as a viable candidate. In today's job market, breaking the rules may be exactly what you need to do to land the job of your dreams!

Copyright © 2008, Pat Faber-Garey.

About the Author
Pat Faber-Garey brings two decades of workforce transition management to bear in helping business leaders take advantage of change. A published author, Faber-Garey's 2006 book GREAT JOBS FOR GRADUATES: 90 Days to the Career of a Lifetime, is used as a university textbook. She is a regular speaker and industry source on workforce management and human resource development topics. Extreme Agility, LLC

Source: GoArticles.com